When this achievement of the king was related to Isabella, she trembled amidst her joy at his safety; and afterwards, in memorial of the event, she granted to Velez Malaga, as the arms of the city, the figure of the king on horseback, with a groom lying dead at his feet, and the Moors flying.t The camp was formed, but the artillery was yet on the road, advancing with infinite labor, at the rate of merely a league a day; for heavy rains had converted the streams of the valleys into raging torrents, and completely broken up the roads. In the mean time, king Ferdinand ordered an assault on the suburbs of the city. They were carried, after a sanguinary conflict of six hours, in which many christian cavaliers were killed and wounded, and, among the latter, Don Alvaro of Portugal, son of the duke of Braganza. The suburbs were then fortified towards the city, with trenches and palisades, and garrisoned by a chosen force, under Don Fadrique de Toledo. Other trenches were digged round the city, and from the suburbs to the royal camp, so as to cut off all communication with the surrounding country. King Ferdinand felt that his army, thus disjointed, and inclosed in an enemy's country, was in a perilous situation, and that the utmost discipline and vigilance were necessary. He put the camp under the strictest regulations, forbidding all gaming, blasphemy, or brawl, and expelling all loose women and their attendant bully ruffians, the usual fomenters of riot and contention among soldiery. He ordered that none should sally forth to skirmish, without permission from their commanders; that none should set fire to the woods on the neighboring mountains; and that all word of security given to Moorish places or individuals, should be inviolably observed. These regulations were enforced by severe penalties, and had such salutary effect, that, though a vast host of various people was collected together, not an opprobrious epithet was heard, nor a weapon drawn in quarrel. In the mean time, the cloud of war went on, gathering about the summits of the mountains; multitudes of the fierce warriors of the sierra descended to the lower heights of Bentomiz, which overhung the camp, intending to force their way to the city. A detachment was sent against them, which, after sharp fighting, drove them to the higher cliffs of the mountain, where it was impossible to pursue them. Ten days had elapsed since the encampment of the army, yet still the artillery had not arrived. The lombards and other heavy ordnance were left in despair, at Antiquera; the rest came groaning slowly through the narrow valleys, which were filled with Bodies of troops were also sent to take possession long trains of artillery, and cars laden with munitions. of the mountain passes, by which the supplies for At length part of the smaller ordnance arrived within the army had to be brought. The mountains, how-half a league of the camp, and the christians were ever, were so steep and rugged, and so full of defiles animated with the hopes of soon being able to make and lurking-places, that the Moors could sally forth a regular attack upon the fortifications of the city. and retreat in perfect security; frequently swooping down upon christian convoys, and bearing off both booty and prisoners to their strong-holds. Sometimes the Moors would light fires at night, on the sides of the mountains, which would be answered by fires from the watch-towers and fortresses. By CHAPTER III. EXPOSED TO IMMINENT PERIL BEFORE VELEZ these signals, they would concert assaults upon the HOW KING FERDINAND AND HIS ARMY WERE christian camp, which, in consequence, was obliged to be continually on the alert, and ready to fly to arms. King Ferdinand flattered himself that the manifestation of his force had struck sufficient terror in- WHILE the standard of the cross waved on the to the city, and that by offers of clemency it might hills before Velez Malaga, and every height and cliff be induced to capitulate. He wrote a letter, there-bristled with hostile arms, the civil war between the fore, to the commanders, promising, in case of im- factions of the Alhambra and the Albaycin, or rather mediate surrender, that all the inhabitants should be between El Zagal and El Chico, continued to conpermitted to depart with their effects; but threaten-vulse the city of Granada. The tidings of the investing them with fire and sword, if they persisted in defence. This letter was dispatched by a cavalier named Carvagal, who, putting it on the end of a lance gave it to the Moors who were on the walls of the city. The commanders replied, that the king was too noble and magnanimous to put such a threat in execution, and that they should not surrender, as they knew the artillery could not be brought to the camp, and they were promised succor by the king of Granada. At the same time that he received this reply, the king learnt that at the strong town of Comares, upon a height about two leagues distant from the camp, a large number of warriors had assembled from the Axarquia, the same mountains in which the christian cavaliers had been massacred in the beginning of the war; others were daily expected, for this rugged sierra was capable of furnishing fifteen thousand fighting men. ment of Velez Malaga at length roused the attention of the old men and the alfaquis, whose heads were not heated by the daily broils. They spread themselves through the city, and endeavored to arouse the people to a sense of their common danger. Why," said they, "continue these brawls between brethren and kindred? what battles are these, where even triumph is ignominious, and the victor blushes and conceals his scars? Behold the christians ravaging the land won by the valor and blood of your forefathers; dwelling in the houses they have built, sitting under the trees they have planted, while your brethren wander about, houseless and desolate. Do you wish to seek your real foe?-he is encamped on the mountain of Bentomiz. Do you want a field for the display of your valor?-you will find it before the walls of Velez Malaga.' When they had roused the spirit of the people, they made their way to the rival kings, and addressed them with like remonstrances. Hamet Aben Zarrax, the inspired santon, reproached El Zagal Illescas, Hist. Pontif. lib. 6, c. 20. Wedmar, Hist. Velez Malaga. with his blind and senseless ambition: "You are + Idem. striving to be king," said he, bitterly, "yet suffer the tomiz on a scene of martial splendor. As its rays kingdom to be lost!" glanced down the mountain, they lighted up the El Zagal found himself in a perplexing dilemma. white tents of the christian cavaliers, cresting its He had a double war to wage, with the enemy lower prominences, their pennons and ensigns flutwithout, and the enemy within. Should the chris-tering in the morning breeze. The sumptuous patians gain possession of the sea-coast, it would be ruinous to the kingdom; should he leave Granada to oppose them, his vacant throne might be seized on by his nephew. He made a merit of necessity, and, pretending to yield to the remonstrances of the alfaquis, endeavored to compromise with Boabdil. He expressed deep concern at the daily losses of the country, caused by the dissensions of the capital; an opportunity now presented to retrieve all by a blow. The christians had in a manner put themselves in a tomb between the mountains-nothing remained but to throw the earth upon them. He offered to resign the title of king, to submit to the government of his nephew, and fight under his standard; all he desired was to hasten to the relief of Velez Malaga, and to take full vengeance on the christians. Boabdil spurned his proposition, as the artifice of a hypocrite and a traitor. "How shall I trust a man," said he, "who has murdered my father and my kindred by treachery, and has repeatedly sought my own life, both by violence and stratagem?" El Zagal boiled with rage, and vexation-but there was no time to be lost. He was beset by the alfaquis and the nobles of his court; the youthful cavaliers were hot for action, the common people loud in their complaints that the richest cities were abandoned to the mercy of the enemy. The old warrior was naturally fond of fighting; he saw also that to remain inactive would endanger both crown and kingdom, whereas a successful blow would secure his popularity in Granada. He had a much more powerful force than his nephew, having lately received reinforcements from Baza, Guadix, and Almeria; he could march with a large force, therefore, to the relief of Velez Malaga, and yet leave a strong garrison in the Alhambra. He took his measures accordingly, and departed suddenly in the night, at the head of one thousand horse and twenty thousand foot. He took the most unfrequented roads, along the chain of mountains extending from Granada to the height of Bentomiz, and proceeded with such rapidity, as to arrive there before king Ferdinand had notice of his approach. The christians were alarmed one evening by the sudden blazing of great fires on the mountains about the fortress of Bentomiz. By the ruddy light, they beheld the flash of weapons and the array of troops, and they heard the distant sound of Moorish drums and trumpets. The fires of Bentomiz were answered by fires on the towers of Velez Malaga. The shouts of "El Zagal! El Zagal!" echoed along the cliffs, and resounded from the city; and the christians found that the old warrior king of Granada was on the mountain above their camp. vilions of the king, with the holy standard of the cross and the royal banners of Castile and Arragon, dominated the encampment. Beyond lay the city, its lofty castle and numerous towers glistening with arms; while above all, and just on the profile of the height, in the full blaze of the rising sun, were descried the tents of the Moor, his turbaned troops clustering about them, and his infidel banners floating against the sky. Columns of smoke rose where the night-fires had blazed, and the clash of the Moorish cymbal, the bray of trumpet, and the neigh of steed, were faintly heard from the airy heights. So pure and transparent is the atmosphere in this region, that every object can be distinctly seen at a great distance; and the christians were able to behold the formidable hosts of foes that were gathering on the summits of the surrounding mountains. One of the first measures of the Moorish king, was to detach a large force, under Rodovan de Vanegas, alcayde of Granada, to fall upon the convoy of ordnance, which stretched, for a great distance, through the mountain defiles. Ferdinand had anticipated this attempt, and sent the commander of Leon, with a body of horse and foot, to reinforce the Master of Alcantara. El Zagal, from his mountain height, beheld the detachment issue from the camp, and immediately recalled Rodovan de Vanegas. The armies now remained quiet for a time, the Moor looking grimly down upon the christian camp, like a tiger meditating a bound upon his prey. The christians were in fearful jeopardy-a hostile city below them, a powerful army above them, and on every side mountains filled with implacable foes. After El Zagal had maturely considered the situation of the christian camp, and informed himself of all the passes of the mountain, he conceived a plan to surprise the enemy, which he flattered himself would insure their ruin, and perhaps the capture of king Ferdinand. He wrote a letter to the alcayde of the city, commanding him, in the dead of the night, on a signal-fire being made from the mountain, to sally forth with all his troops, and fall furiously upon the christian camp. The king would, at the same time, rush down with his army from the mountain, and assail it on the opposite side; thus overwhelming it, at the hour of deep repose. This letter he dispatched by a renegado christian, who knew all the secret roads of the country, and, if taken, could pass himself for a christian who had escaped from captivity. The fierce El Zagal, confident in his stratagem, looked down upon the christians as his devoted victims. As the sun went down, and the long shadows of the mountain stretched across the vega, he pointed with exultation to the camp below, apparently unThe spirits of the Moors were suddenly raised to a conscious of the impending danger. "Allah Acbar! pitch of the greatest exultation, while the christians exclaimed he, "God is great! Behold the unbelievers were astonished to see this storm of war ready to are delivered into our hands; their king and choicest burst upon their heads. The count de Cabra, with chivalry will soon be at our mercy. Now is the nis accustomed eagerness when there was a king in time to show the courage of men, and, by one glori the field, would fain have scaled the heights, and ous victory, retrieve all that we have lost. Happy attacked El Zagal before he had time to form his he who falls fighting in the cause of the Prophet! he camp; but Ferdinand, who was more cool and wary, will at once be transported to the paradise of the restrained him. To attack the height, would be to faithful, and surrounded by immortal houris. Happy abandon the siege. He ordered every one, there- he who shall survive victorious! he will behold fore, to keep vigilant watch at his post, and to stand | Granada,—an earthly paradise!-once more delivready to defend it to the utmost, but on no accountered from its foes, and restored to all its glory." The to sally forth and attack the enemy. All night the signal-fires kept blazing along the mountains, rousing and animating the whole country. The morning sun rose over the lofty summit of Ren words of El Zagal were received with acclamations by his troops, who waited impatiently for the ap pointed hour, to pour down from their mountain-hold upon the christians. CHAPTER IV. RESULT OF THE STRATAGEM OF EL ZAGAL TO after cliff, until the whole atmosphere was in a glow SURPRISE KING FERDINAND. QUEEN ISABELLA and her court had remained at Cordova, in great anxiety for the result of the royal expedition. Every day brought tidings of the difficulties which attended the transportation of the ordnance and munitions, and of the critical state of the army. While in this state of anxious suspense, couriers arrived with all speed from the frontiers, bringing tidings of the sudden sally of El Zagal from Granada, to surprise the camp. All Cordova was in consternation. The destruction of the Andalusian chivalry, among the mountains of this very neighborhood, was called to mind; it was feared that similar ruin was about to burst forth, from rocks and precipices, upon Ferdinand and his army. Queen Isabella shared in the public alarm, but it served to rouse all the energies of her heroic mind. Instead of uttering idle apprehensions, she sought only how to avert the danger. She called upon all the men of Andalusia, under the age of seventy, to aria and hasten to the relief of their sovereign; and she prepared to set out with the first levies. The grand cardinal of Spain, old Pedro Gonzalez de Mendoza, in whom the piety of the saint and the wisdom of the counsellor were mingled with the fire of the cavalier, offered high pay to all horsemen who would follow him to aid their king and the christian cause; and, buckling on armor, prepared to lead them to the scene of danger. The summons of the queen roused the quick Andalusian spirit. Warriors who had long since given up fighting, and had sent their sons to battle, now seized the sword and lance that were rusting on the wall, and marshalled forth their gray-headed domestics and their grandchildren for the field. The great dread was, that all aid would arrive too late: El Zagal and his host had passed like a storm through the mountains, and it was feared the tempest had already burst upon the christian camp. In the mean time, the night had closed which had been appointed by El Zagal for the execution of his plan. He had watched the last light of day expire, and all the Spanish camp remained tranquil. As the hours wore away, the camp-fires were gradually extinguished. No drum or trumpet sounded from below. Nothing was heard, but now and then the dull heavy tread of troops, or the echoing tramp of horses-the usual patrols of the camp, and the changes of the guards. El Zagal restrained his own impatience, and that of his troops, until the night should be advanced, and the camp sunk in that heavy sleep from which men are with difficulty awakened; and, when awakened, so prone to be bewildered and dismayed. sprung out on every height, from great pyres of wood, prepared for the purpose: cliff blazed out of furnace light. The ruddy glare lit up the glens and passes of the mountain, and fell strongly upon the christian camp, revealing all its tents and every post and bulwark. Wherever El Zagal turned his eyes, he beheld the light of his fires flashed back from cuirass, and helm, and sparkling lance; he beHeld a grove of spears planted in every pass, every assailable point bristling with arms, and squadrons of horse and foot in battle array, awaiting his attack. In fact, the letter of El Zagal to the alcayde of Velez Malaga had been intercepted by the vigilant Ferdinand; the renegado messenger hanged; and secret measures taken, after the night had closed in, to give the enemy a warm reception. El Zagal saw that his plan of surprise was discovered and foiled; furious with disappointment, he ordered his troops forward to the attack. They rushed down the defile, but were again encountered by the mass of christian warriors, being the advance guard of the army, commanded by Don Hurtado de Mendoza, brother of the grand cardinal. The Moors were again repulsed, and retreated up the height. Don Hurtado would have followed them, but the ascent was steep and rugged, and easily defended by the Moors. A sharp action was kept up, through the night, with cross-bows, darts, and arquebusses. The cliffs echoed with deafening uproar, while the fires blazing upon the mountains threw a lurid and uncertain light upon the scene. When the day dawned, and the Moors saw that there was no co-operation from the city, they began to slacken in their ardor: they beheld also every pass of the mountain filled with christian troops, and began to apprehend an assault in return. Just then king Ferdinand sent the marques of Cadiz, with horse and foot, to seize upon a height occupied by a battalion of the enemy. The marques assailed the Moors with his usual intrepidity, and soon put them to flight. The others, who were above, seeing their comrades flying, were seized with a sudden alarm: they threw down their arms, and retreated. One of those unaccountable panics, which now and then seize upon great bodies of people, and to which the light-spirited Moors were very prone, now spread throughout the camp. They were terrified, they knew not why, or at what. They threw away swords, lances, breast-plates, crossbows, every thing that could burthen or impede their flight; and, spreading themselves wildly over the mountains, fled headlong down the defiles They fled without pursuers-from the glimpse of each other's arms, from the sound of each other's footsteps. Rodovan de Vanegas, the brave alcayde of Granada, alone succeeded in collecting a body of the fugitives; he made a circuit with them through the passes of the mountain, and forcing his way across a weak part of the christian lines, galloped towards Velez Malaga. The rest of the Moorish host was completely scattered. In vain did El Zagal and his knights attempt to rally them; they were left_almost alone, and had to consult their own security by flight. At length, the appointed hour arrived. By order of the Moorish king, a bright flame sprung up from the height of Bentomiz; but El Zagal looked in vain for the responding light from the city. His impatience would brook no longer delay; he ordered the advance of the army, to descend the mountain defile and attack the camp. The defile was narrow, and The marques of Cadiz, finding no opposition, asoverhung by rocks: as the troops proceeded, they cended from height to height, cautiously reconnoicame suddenly, in a shadowy hollow, upon a dark tring, and fearful of some stratagem or ambush. mass of christian warriors. A loud shout burst forth, All, however, was quiet. He reached with his and the christians rushed to assail them; the Moors, men the place which the Moorish army had occu surprised and disconcerted, retreated in confusion to pied: the heights were abandoned, and strewed the height. When El Zagal heard there was a chris- with cuirasses, scimitars, cross-bows, and other tian force posted in the defile, he doubted some weapons. His force was too small to pursue the counter-plan of the enemy. He gave orders to light enemy, but returned to the royal camp, laden with the mountain fires. On a signal given, bright flames the spoils. King Ferdinand, at first, could not credit so sig-idol, became suddenly the object of the execra nal and miraculous a defeat: he suspected some tion. He had sacrificed the army; he had dislurking stratagem. He ordered, therefore, that a graced the nation; he had betrayed the country. strict watch should be maintained throughout the He was a dastard, a traitor; he was unworthy to camp, and every one be ready for instant action. reign! The following night, a thousand cavaliers and hidalgos kept guard about the royal tent, as they had done for several preceding nights; nor did the king relax this vigilance, until he received certain intelligence that the enemy was completely scattered and El Zagal flying in confusion. The tidings of this rout, and of the safety of the christian army, arrived at Cordova just as reinforcements were on the point of setting out. The anxiety and alarm of the queen and the public were turned to transports of joy and gratitude. The forces were disbanded, solemn processions were made, and te deums chanted in the churches, for so signal a victory. CHAPTER V. On a sudden, one among the multitude shouted, "Long live Boabdil el Chico!" the cry was echoed on all sides, and every one shouted, "Long live Boabdil el Chico! long live the legitimate king of Granada: and death to all usurpers!" In the excitement of the moment, they thronged to the Albaycin; and those who had lately besieged Boabdil with arms, now surrounded his palace with acclamations. The keys of the city, and of all the fortresses, were laid at his feet; he was borne in state to the Alhambra, and once more seated. with all due ceremony, on the throne of his ancestors. Boabdil had by this time become so accustomed to be crowned and uncrowned by the multitude, that he put no great faith in the duration of their loyalty. He knew that he was surrounded by hollow hearts, and that most of the courtiers of the Alhambra were HOW THE PEOPLE OF GRANADA REWARDED THE secretly devoted to his uncle. He ascended the VALOR OF EL ZAGAL. throne as the rightful sovereign, who had been dispossessed of it by usurpation; and he ordered the THE daring spirit of the old warrior, Muley Ab-heads of four of the principal nobies to be struck off, dalla El Zagal, in sallying forth to defend his terri- who had been most zealous in support of the usurper. tories, while he left an armed rival in his capital, Executions of the kind were matters of course, on had struck the people of Granada with admiration. any change in Moorish government; and Boabdil They recalled his former exploits, and again antici-was lauded for his moderation and humanity, in being pated some hardy achievement from his furious content with so small a sacrifice. The factions were valor. Couriers from the army reported its formid-awed into obedience; the populace, delighted with able position on the height of Bentomiz. For a any change, extolled Boabdil to the skies; and the time, there was a pause in the bloody commotions name of Muley Abdalla El Zagal was for a time a byof the city; all attention was turned to the blow word of scorn and opprobrium throughout the city. about to be struck at the christian camp. The same considerations which diffused anxiety and terror through Cordova, swelled every bosom with exulting confidence in Granada. The Moors expected to hear of another massacre, like that in the mountains of Malaga. "El Zagal has again entrapped the enemy!" was the cry. "The power of the unbelievers is about to be struck to the heart. We shall soon see the christian king led captive to the capital." Thus the name of El Zagal was on every tongue. He was extolled as the savior of the country; the only one worthy of wearing the Moorish crown. Boabdil was reviled as basely remaining passive while his country was invaded; and, so violent became the clamor of the populace, that his adherents trembled for his safety. Never was any commander more astonished and confounded by a sudden reverse of fortune, than El Zagal. The evening had seen him with a powerful army at his command, his enemy within his grasp, and victory about to cover him with glory, and to consolidate his power:-the morning beheld him a fugitive among the mountains, his army, his prosperity, his power, all dispelled, he knew not howgone like a dream of the night. In vain had he tried to stem the headlong flight of the army. He saw his squadrons breaking and dispersing among the cliffs of the mountains, until, of all his host, only a handful of cavaliers remained faithful to him. With these he made a gloomy retreat towards Granada, but with a heart full of foreboding. When he drew near to the city, he paused on the banks of the Xenel, and sent forth scouts to collect intelligence. They returned with dejected countenances: "The gates of Granada," said they, “are closed against you. The banner of Boabdil floats on the tower of the Alhambra.' While the people of Granada were impatiently looking out for tidings of the anticipated victory, scattered horsemen came spurring across the vega. They were fugitives from the Moorish army, and brought the first incoherent account of its defeat. Every one who attempted to tell the tale of this un- El Zagal turned his steed, and departed in silence. accountable panic and dispersion, was as if bewil- He retreated to the town of Almunecar, and from dered by the broken recollection of some frightful | thence to Almeria, which places still remained faithdream. He knew not how or why it came to pass. ful to him. Restless and uneasy at being so distant He talked of a battle in the night, among rocks and precipices, by the glare of bale-fires; of multitudes of armed foes in every pass, seen by gleams and flashes; of the sudden horror that seized upon the army at daybreak; its headlong flight, and total dispersion. Hour after hour, the arrival of other fugitives confirmed the story of ruin and disgrace. from the capital, he again changed his abode, and repaired to the city of Guadix, within a few leagues of Granada. Here he remained, endeavoring to rally his forces, and preparing to avail himself of any sudden change in the fluctuating politics of the metropolis. CHAPTER VI. SURRENDER OF VELEZ MALAGA AND OTHER PLACES. In proportion to their recent vaunting, was the humiliation that now fell upon the people of Granada. There was a universal burst, not of grief, but indignation. They confounded the leader with the army-the deserted, with those who had abandoned him; and El Zagal, from being their of Muley Abdalla El Zagal, covering the summit of THE people of Velez Malaga had beheld the camp Having made every necessary arrangement for the government and security of the newly conquered territory, Ferdinand turned his attention to the great object of his campaign, the reduction of Malaga. Bentomiz, and glittering in the last rays of the set- renounce El Zagal and come under allegiance to the ting sun. During the night, they had been alarmed younger king. Should they not do so within that and perplexed by signal-fires on the mountain, and time, the sovereigns threatened to make war upon by the sound of distant battle. When the morning them, and conquer them for themselves. This measbroke, the Moorish army had vanished as if by en-ure had a great effect, in inducing many to return to chantment. While the inhabitants were lost in won- the standard of Boabdil. der and conjecture, a body of cavalry, the fragment of the army saved by Rodovan de Vanegas, the brave alcayde of Granada, came galloping to the gates. The tidings of the strange discomfiture of the host, filled the city with consternation; but Rodovan exhorted the people to continue their resistance. He was devoted to El Zagal, and confident in his skill and prowess; and felt assured that he would soon collect his scattered forces, and return with fresh troops from Granada. The people were comforted by the words, and encouraged by the presence, of Rodovan; and they had still a lingering hope that the heavy artillery of the christians might be locked up in the impassable defiles of the mountains. This hope was soon at an end. The very next day, they beheld long laborious lines of ordnance slowly moving into the Spanish camp, lombards, ribadoquines, catapultas, and cars laden with munitions, while the escort, under the brave Master of Alcantara, wheeled in great battalions into the camp, to augment the force of the besiegers. The terms were arranged between the alcayde and the noble count de Cifuentes; the latter had been prisoner of Rodovan at Granada, who had treated him with chivalrous courtesy. They had conceived a mutual esteem for each other, and met as ancient friends. CHAPTER VII. OF THE CITY OF MALAGA, AND ITS INHABIT- THE city of Malaga lies in the lap of a fertile valley, surrounded by mountains, excepting on the part which lies open to the sea. As it was one of the most important, so it was one of the strongest, cities of the Moorish kingdom. It was fortified by walls of prodigious strength, studded with a great number of huge towers. On the land side, it was protected by a natural barrier of mountains; and on the other, the waves of the Mediterranean beat against the foundations of its massive bulwarks. opulent inhabitants, adorned with hanging gardens; the other, on the land side, was thickly peopled, and surrounded by strong walls and towers. The intelligence that Granada had shut its gates against El Zagal, and that no reinforcements were At one end of the city, near the sea, on a high to be expected, completed the despair of the inhab-mound, stood the Alcazaba or citadel,-a fortress of itants; even Rodovan himself lost confidence, and great strength. Immediately above this, rose a steep advised capitulation. and rocky mount, on the top of which, in old times, had been a Pharo or light-house, from which the height derived its name of Gibralfaro.* It was at present crowned by an immense castle, which, from its lofty and cragged situation, its vast walls and mighty towers, was deemed impregnable. It communicated with the Alcazaba by a covered way, six Ferdinand granted favorable conditions, for he paces broad, leading down between two walls, along was eager to proceed against Malaga. The inhab- the profile or ridge of the rock. The castle of Gibitants were permitted to depart with their effects, ralfaro commanded both citadel and city, and was except their arms, and to reside, if they chose it, in capable, if both were taken, of maintaining a siege. Spain, in any place distant from the sea. One hun- Two large suburbs adjoined the city in the one todred and twenty christians, of both sexes, were res-wards the sea, were the dwelling-houses of the most cued from captivity by the surrender of Velez Malaga, and were sent to Cordova, where they were received with great tenderness by the queen and her daughter the Infanta Isabella, in the famous cathedral, in the midst of public rejoicings for the victory. The capture of Velez Malaga was followed by the surrender of Bentomiz, Comares, and all the towns and fortresses of the Axarquia, which were strongly garrisoned, and discreet and valiant cavaliers appointed as their alcaydes. The inhabitants of nearly forty towns of the Alpaxarra mountains, also, sent deputations to the Castilian sovereigns, taking the oath of allegiance as Mudeharcs, or Moslem vassals. About the same time came letters from Boabdil el Chico, announcing to the sovereigns the revolution of Granada in his favor. He solicited kindness and protection for the inhabitants who had returned to their allegiance, and for those of all other places which should renounce adherence to his uncle. By this means (he observed) the whole kingdom of Granada would soon be induced to acknowledge his sway, and would be held by him in faithful vassalage to the Castilian crown. The Catholic sovereigns complied with his request. Protection was immediately extended to the inhabitants of Granada, permitting them to cultivate their fields in peace, and to trade with the christian territories in all articles excepting arms; being provided with letters of surety, from some christian captain or alcayde. The same favor was promised to all other places, which, within six months, should Malaga possessed a brave and numerous garrison, and the common people were active, hardy, and resolute; but the city was rich and commercial, and under the habitual control of numerous opulent merchants, who dreaded the ruinous consequences of a siege. They were little zealous for the warlike renown of their city, and longed rather to participate in the enviable security of property, and the lucrative privileges of safe traffic with the christian territories, granted to all places which declared for Boabdil. At the head of these gainful citizens was Ali Dordux, a mighty merchant of uncounted wealth, whose ships traded to every part of the Levant, and whose word was as a law in Malaga. Ali Dordux assembled the most opulent and important of his commercial brethren, and they repaired in a body to the Alcazaba, where they were received by the alcayde, Albozen Connixa, with that deference gen erally shown to men of their great local dignity and power of purse. Ali Dordux was ample and stately in his form, and fluent and emphatic in his discourse his eloquence had an effect therefore upon the alcayde, as he represented the hopelessness of a defence of Malaga, the misery that must attend a siege, and the ruin that must follow a capture by force of arms. On the other hand, he set forth the A corruption of Gibel-faro; the hill of the light-house. |